Sun-Times girls basketball all-area team

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Whitney Adams, Montini, 6-2, forward, sr.: A returning starter who can play inside or outside. Averaging 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds for the reigning Class 3A state champions. Has made 59 three-pointers on the season and has connected on 145 treys in her career. A big kid who can shoot with the best of them,'' coach Jason Nichols said. Signed with ACC powerhouse North Carolina.

Ivory Crawford, Proviso East, 5-8, guard, sr.: Helped the Pirates and coach Ezra PridGeon to the school's first victory in a sectional contest. Can play all positions and averaged just over 20 points with seven rebounds for the West Suburban Gold champions. Signed with Illinois.

Melissa Dixon, Johnsburg, 5-8, guard, sr.: A four-year starter who led her team to its sixth consecutive sectional final. Averaging 23.5 points for a team that lost six seniors from 2010 to graduation. Has more than 2,100 career points. Will continue her career at Iowa.

Katie Faught, Loyola, 5-9, guard, sr: GCAC Red player of the year for the conference regular-season champions. Averaged 17 points and four assists. Leader of a team that played four or five guards at the same time after losing two players in December. Will play next year at Loyola University.

Jacki Gulczynski, Bartlett, 6-1, forward, sr.: A four-year starter and the No.1 player in the Upstate Eight. Led her team to conference and regional championships, and the title game at Dundee-Crown. Averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds. Signed to play for Wisconsin.

Whitney Holloway, Montini, 5-4, guard, sr.: Averaging 15.5 points. In 33 games, has 153 assists and 145 steals with just 36 turnovers. Has 42 three-pointers this season. Has scored more than 1,500 points in her career. The best guard I have ever coached without question,'' coach Jason Nichols said. Signed with Notre Dame. Repeat selection.

Claire Jakubicek, Cary-Grove, 6-0, forward, sr.: Leading scorer in Cary-Grove history. For a sectional finalist, she is averaging 21 points and eight rebounds. Scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Hersey. Has teammed with Meg Straumann and her sophomore sister Olivia to go unbeaten since December. Signed with Northern Illinois.

Chanise Jenkins, Young, 5-5, guard, sr.: Returned from an injury that cost her most of her junior year to average 15 points and 4.3 assists for a team that ran away with the Public League title - its sixth in seven years. Had the rare opportunity to play against her sister Debra and Morgan Park in the city championship. Nationally ranked and signed with DePaul.

Kiana Johnson, Young, 5-6, guard, sr.: Three-year varsity performer who signed early with Michigan State. Averaging 15 points, 3.3 steals and 3.6 assists for the Public League champions and a team that won a Class 4A title in 2008 and was runner-up in 2009 and 2010. Repeat selection.

Simone Law, Marian Catholic, 6-0, forward, sr.: Leading scorer and rebounder for a team that won its first outright East Suburban Catholic Conference championship and played teams from four states. Averaging 17.2 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Maine West Tipoff Classic champions. Will play at Loyola University. Repeat selection.

Jewell Loyd, Niles West, 5-10, guard, jr.: Averaging 30.1 points, 15.2 rebounds, 4.5 steals, 4.1 assists and 3.1 blocks. Has 24 double-doubles this season through the sectional semifinal and has 2,182 career points. Played for USA Basketball in the summer and is ranked among the top 10 juniors in the nation. Repeat selection.

Ariel Massengale, Bolingbrook, 5-7, guard, sr.: Sun-Times Player of the Year. A McDonald's and WBCA All-American. Signed with Tennessee. Point guard and floor leader for the two-time reigning Class 4A state champions. Averaging 14 points, eight assists and six steals for a team ranked among the top five in the nation. Repeat selection.

Jasmine Matthews, Marian Catholic, 5-10, guard, sr.: A pillar of consistency. Averaged 15.7 points and 3.2 assists while helping lead her team - with classmates Simone Law and Jamie Johnson - to the East Suburban Catholic crown and the Maine West Tipoff Classic title. Signed with Mid-American Conference power Bowling Green.

Megan Podkowa, Trinity, 6-1, forward, jr.: Averaging 18 points, nine steals, 3.5 blocks and three steals while shooting 51 percent from the floor, 42 percent from three-point range and 83 percent from the line for the GCAC Red tournament champions. With two starters out, scored a career-high 38 with 15 rebounds against Marist.

Megan Rogowski, Hersey, 5-9, guard, sr.: Signed with DePaul. MVP of holiday tournaments at Maine West and Wheaton North. Also led her team to the Season's End tournament championship. Averaged 24 points while leading her team to the Mid-Suburban East title. Named MSL East player of the year. Repeat selection.

JeTaun Rouse, Marist, 5-9, guard, soph.: Regarded as one of the state's best in the Class of 2013, helped the deep and talented RedHawks to a share of second place (with Fenwick and Trinity) in the rugged East Suburban Catholic Conference. Averaged 15.7 points and 3.2 assists for a team that was ranked all season.

Savannah Trees, Libertyville, 5-8, guard, sr.: Point guard and leader for a defensive juggernaut that finished the regular season undefeated and limited more than 20 consecutive opponents to under 40 points. Averaged 13 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 49 percent from the floor and 55 percent (31-for-56) from beyond the three-point line.

Morgan Tuck, Bolingbrook, 6-2, forward, jr.: Played for Team USA in the summer and committed to Connecticut. Averaged 23 points, eight rebounds and two steals for the two-time reigning Class 4A state champions. Has never lost a high school game to a team from Illinois. Repeat selection.

Kat Yelle, Geneva, 5-8, guard, sr.: Averaging 17.8 points, 5.2 assists and 3.7 steals for a team hoping to reach the Final Four in Class 4A for the second time in three seasons. A three-year starter and one of the state's best floor generals. Has more than 1,300 career points. Signed with Ohio U. Repeat selection.